Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Travel: International Personal Injury - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Deka Chambers is one of the leading chambers for cross-border personal injury work. The set houses a strong group of barristers noted for their ability to "handle the full spectrum of travel and international injury work," with experience in the handling of holiday sickness actions and complex catastrophic injury and fatal claims arising from foreign RTAs, maritime accidents and aircraft incidents. Members are highly regarded for their expertise in jurisdiction and applicable law disputes, and are regularly called upon to act in claims under the Athens and Montreal Conventions. The set's clients include several major tour operators, airlines and foreign insurers, as well as individual claimants.

Clark Chessis is the senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Jack Harding
1
Band 1

Jack Harding has a wide-ranging practice covering private international law, aviation accidents and package travel. He is also well versed in aviation-related discrimination cases. He represents claimants and defendant tour operators, airlines, hotels and insurers in cases arising from aircraft incidents and outbreaks of illness, including large group actions.

Jack Harding is excellent. He gets right to the crux of complex issues incredibly quickly and delivers measured, clear advice. He is excellent in hearings against tricky opponents.

Jack is my go-to junior on cases. He has a phenomenal mind, he is very technical and is able to cut through thorny cases to get to the real crux of the matters.

Matthew Chapman
1
Matthew Chapman
1
Band 1

Matthew Chapman KC receives exceptional feedback from market commentators. He distinguishes himself through his tremendous knowledge of key travel law directives and private international law. His caseload encompasses a broad spectrum of high-profile fatal accident and catastrophic injury claims. He represents both claimants and defendants in complex cases that often raise novel points of law. His clients include several tour operators, hoteliers, insurers and carriers.

Matthew is incredible to work with, has an impeccable eye for detail, and tackles difficult cases with gusto. He inspires confidence.

Matthew really understands his clients and he is the go-to man for this kind of work. He makes highly complex issues look straightforward.

Matt Chapman's technical knowledge on issues relating to applicable law and jurisdiction is second to none. He is approachable, diligent and thorough in his advice.

Sarah Prager
1
Sarah Prager
1
Band 1

Sarah Prager KC is commended for her impressive advocacy skills and handles sensitive fatal accident and catastrophic injury cases that often result in precedent-setting decisions and create new legislation. She is regularly instructed in cases involving foreign RTAs. She is a popular choice among leading solicitor firms on both the claimant and defendant sides. She has significant experience of advising on post-Brexit law and Package Travel Regulations.

Sarah is fearless on her feet, and inspires confidence.

Sarah's advocacy and delivery of advice is the best in the business. She can overcome complex technical issues of law and drive towards a solution in a pragmatic way like no other barrister.

She is a real leader of the Bar for women. She is very down to earth, dynamic and visible across the main judgments in the sector.

2
Andrew Spencer
2
Band 2

Andrew Spencer acts for and against tour operators in group actions and package travel claims relating to illness, medical negligence and accidents suffered overseas. He is highlighted for his knowledge of jurisdiction, applicable law and local standards.

Andrew is a very good barrister to have when you need to reassure a client - he has a very gentle, reassuring bedside manner.

Andrew is our go-to barrister for travel and marine-related personal injury claims due to his expertise and levels of service.

Andrew is an exceptional advocate. He is fiercely intelligent, and is able to identify any weakness in his opposing number's case.

Dominique Smith
2
Dominique Smith
2
Band 2

Dominique Smith is building a strong practice acting for both claimants and defendants in a range of international travel claims. She has been instructed on claims arising from negligent surgery and skiing accidents.

She is very approachable, very thorough and prepares carefully.

She is excellent on her feet, no matter what curveball is sent her way, and nothing seems to rattle her ever. She delivers advice and arguments with grace and intelligence.

She is a joy to work with and someone who is punching way above her current level of experience. She is a woman of the moment in the work she does in this field.

2
Linda Nelson
2
Band 2

Linda Nelson has noted expertise in international personal injury and clinical negligence cases. She is experienced in the handling of complex claims involving questions of limitation and jurisdiction disputes, and is regularly called upon to represent claimants in international maritime claims.

Linda offers good support in difficult conversations - she is rational, sensible and understanding. She is technically very good.

Linda is a pleasure to work with. She sticks to her guns, is a tenacious advocate and provides clear, thorough advice.

She is making a name for herself in maritime work - I really rate her as being very capable and experienced.

3
Bruce Silvester
3
Band 3

Bruce Silvester appears frequently in large-scale group actions on both the claimant and defendant sides. He handles claims arising from a range of transport accidents, both on road and at sea. He is highly regarded by commentators for his expertise in complex gastric illness claims.

Bruce has a very good style with judges. He's very pragmatic and judges really like him.

Bruce is brilliant at dealing with complex issues in personal injury and explaining these to clients with a very straightforward approach.

Bruce has an incredibly good forensic eye, he could find a needle in a haystack.

Giles Mooney
3
Giles Mooney
3
Band 3

Giles Mooney KC is instructed on a range of serious and complex international personal injury matters. He represents claimants who have sustained life-changing injuries during aquatic activities. He has also been instructed on behalf of cruise ship owners.

As an advocate, he's really good in court.

3
John Ross
3
Band 3

John Ross KC is routinely instructed in significant catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims and has longstanding experience of acting for claimants and insurers on the defendant side. His cases regularly involve employer liability, indemnity and international safety standards.

John is a true stalwart of the Travel Bar. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of case law, and delivers exceptional results to his clients.

His oral presentation is really standout - it's unmatched. He explains nuances well, really bringing it all together at the end.

3
Tom Collins
3
Band 3

Tom Collins has an established travel practice with experience in appellate matters as well as first instance claims, including in the High Court. He frequently appears for defendants but is also instructed for claimants in catastrophic injury claims.

He is exceptionally bright, and he deals with complex issues in very lay-client terms so that clients can understand him easily.

Tom is an excellent advocate.

Tom is very thorough, and has great perspective. He takes risks, he will have battles when they're needed. He gives you 150%.

U
Anirudh Mandagere
U
Up and Coming

Aniruhd Mandagere is an up-and-coming international personal injury specialist. He has particular experience in matters against foreign insurers and cross-border clinical negligence, with additional expertise in complex quantum calculations.

Anirudh is very bright.

He is a future star. He is really impressive, very conscientious and level-headed.

Ranked Barristers at
Deka Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Travel: International Personal Injury

Matthew Chapman KC
1
Matthew Chapman KC
1
Band 1
Sarah Prager KC
1
Sarah Prager KC
1
Band 1
Giles Mooney KC
3
Giles Mooney KC
3
Band 3
3
John Ross KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Travel: International Personal Injury

1
Jack Harding
1
Band 1
2
Andrew Spencer
2
Band 2
Dominique Smith
2
Dominique Smith
2
Band 2
2
Linda Nelson
2
Band 2
3
Bruce Silvester
3
Band 3
3
Tom Collins
3
Band 3
U
Anirudh Mandagere
U
Up and Coming